Day 4: (Saturday) Rome to San GimignanoBuongiorno!!! Today, we leave Rome and drive to San Gimignano. 
I love this map because it also shows the location of Siena, Florence and Pisa - other places we will be visiting!! (check my Italy Trip page for more details)  FORNO ROSCIOLA (BREAD & PIZZA) - SO DELISH!! I've noticed my blog is longer each day than Tanya's - I'm sorry for being so long-winded but I just have so much to say with all we are doing! I'm sad to leave Rome - I truly felt at home here - maybe it was Allesandra's beautiful & homey apartment on Via della Scroffa or maybe I'm a Roman at heart!! Today, after picking up our rental car, we will drive through the Tuscan countryside and towards our Vacation villa. Our plan is to stop for lunch in Orvieto (about half way between Rome and San Gimignano. We'll see what other goodies we'll hit along the way and I'll report back to you tomorrow!!
NATURAL GELATO - WITH LESS FAT!! (I HAD ALMOND-ORANGE!!!)
FRESH FRUIT AT CAMPO DI FIORI
Now, as for yesterday -- our morning Food & Market Tour was so much fun!! We ate way too much. I'll let the pictures speak for themselves!! Spending the afternoon in the Vatican was quite different - we made a quick change at the apartment to comply with the vatican dress code (covering knees and shoulders) and took a cab to the Valican to meet our guide Claudia. 
MOM, ME AND CLAUDIA, OUR VATICAN TOUR GUIDE
Claudia was also from Rome Illuminated, and works with Evan. She was delightful. Originally from Naples, she now resides in Rome and spent over three hours telling us all about the Vatican - its history, the artwork within and many anecdotal stories about several of the artists who created much of the artwork, including Michelangelo. 
AT VATICAN (ST. PETER'S BASILICA)
JOHN PAUL II CRYPT (mom praying)
Alittle trivia - The hill that St. Peter's Basilica was built on is where he was crucified and the place is called the Vatican because that was the name of the "hill." Now, the only thing I can say about today was that it was HOT!! Walking around Rome and seeing all the sights in the middle of August is tough, especially with two kids. Now, on the subject of my girls - they were amazingly behaved throughout the entire day!! So proud of them. So, here we are leaving for our next city - San Gimignano - see you back here tomorrow!! -E PS: I am sorry that our link for Foodie Friday didn't work yesterday - here is is again: Ralph's Ices: A Cool Tradition “Veni, vidi, vici. (I came, I saw, I conquered.)” | Day 4: London to South Hampton - Time to go Cruisin'!!Hello all! I know the Elisa is writing so much more, than I have been. But, I just can't sit still long enough to spend time on the computer. I must be out there doing things and seeing stuff! By the time I get back to my room, I am nearly passing out before I hit the pillow - no joke...I'm serious! And my poor footsies are suffering because of it. Yesterday was quite a morning! A tapping at my door startled me and woke me from my deep slumber. With the blackout drapes, I had thought it was still the middle of the night. I missed my alarm! Missing my alarm really caused me stress. Having already come back night after night with my knees being sore and my feet totally thrashed. A girl must do what a girl must do. The last time I had a tapping at the door wake me was after a wild night in Costa Rica, and the last time my feet were headed in this direction was for my first visit to Italy - I swear My blisters had blisters! Sooo does, anyone want to buy me a palace? I so thoroughly enjoyed touring the staterooms of Buckingham Palace. I had been looking very forward to it being one of the highlights of London & and after actually experiencing it in all of it's opulence it will definitely will be one of my vacation highlights; Which I will be sure to list for you upon return! Please be sure to look for it, along with any of my reviews! 
After touring Buckingham Palace
Well, today I almost had to send Dave a-truckin'. Why? Because although he only wants to make me happy, he sometimes does so in a frantic nature. And it was annoying me terribly! In a situation where heading to lunch turned out to be a bit of a bust to which I've concluded that I think I might actually enjoy the trips that don't offer such a wide variety of Vegan specified restaurants. The absolute only reason I make such a statement is that locating some of these locations can be quite a struggle (especially for an out of towner). If my main focus was in food vs sightseeing than I suppose I wouldn't mind all the running around...well actually what took place is a bit of a riot! One that I could've very well got quite pissed over. But I chose to remain calm and just skip lunch altogether. At one point I thought to myself that "I'm gonna drive the cabbie & Dave crazy!" Wow, so far I'm certainly being a blabber mouth! 
At the gates of Kew Gardens
The Langham Hotel - Afternoon Tea
The only time I sat down all day!
Kew Gardens
Kew Gardens
As for today we are heading out to South Hampton in order to board our cruise! But, before any of that takes place we'll grab a quick & healthy breakfast at Whole Foods, which happens to be just down the street from out hotel. What a lovely delight it was to spot as we took our first steps in Kensington. The plan is set to tour Kensington Palace immediately upon opening. The Royal Residence of which the late princess Diana once called home. It has been a residence of the British Royal Family since the 17th century, and is the official London residence of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Prince Harry, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, the Duke and Duchess of Kent and Prince and Princess Michael of Kent.A glamorous new exhibition that I look the most forward to seeing, feature rare and exquisite dresses worn by HM Queen Elizabeth II, Princess Margaret and Diana, Princess of Wales. The rest of my afternoon and evening will spent getting familiar with the cruise ship - my home for the next week! Eating, entertainment, working out, and maybe a tad of relaxation too! I'll hopefully be able to connect with you on the daily and keep you posted! -T **As for Elisa's statement, about feeling at home in Italy - I TOTALLY get it! Every time I'm there, I absolutely feel the same way! It's in our blood! In a sense we (almost) belong there! |
